Care vs Overcare

“if our caring intentions don’t feel as if they’re both adding to our energy bank account and affecting others in an uplifting way then there’s a chance we’re in overcare”. ﻿

Care versus Overcare

The spell check does not even recognize the term “overcare”. Yet, according to HeartMath Solution authors, Childre and Martin, it is a common ailment and one of the biggest afflictions in our society today. “Care”, on the other hand, is one of our greatest needs, both collectively as a society and as individuals.

Care, these authors explain, is one of the most core heart feelings and a powerful motivator. It generates feelings of support, security and connection. Its effect, whether we are giving or receiving care, is uplifting and regenerative. The connection experienced through care impacts not only our emotional level, but our physical one also. Research has shown that caring touch between two individuals results in electrical energy being transmitted from one’s heart to the other’s brain, and vice versa. This positive reaction promotes both health and a sense of well-being. It has even been shown to boost the immune system!

Overcare, however, is one of our biggest energy deficits. It is at the root of many other draining emotional states including anxiety, fear and depression. Overcare can be described as a ‘suffering of the mind’ or as a burdensome sense of responsibility, anxiety, concern or worry. It is accompanied by a heavy, stressful feeling that depletes us rather than the regenerative feeling that comes with care. In other words, “if our caring intentions don’t feel as if they’re both adding to our energy bank account and affecting others in an uplifting way then there’s a chance we’re in overcare”. Overcare can take many forms. On the emotional level it can be experienced as generalized anxiety, fear, performance anxiety, perfectionism and overattachment to people, places or things. On the mental level overcare exhibits itself as worrisome future projections, unrealistic expectations and comparisons resulting in jealousy and envy. Eliminating overcare as much as possible is the ultimate goal and the HeartMath method offers some strategies to do so. Our authors state, however, that we all experience overcare to some degree, and need to ensure that we balance out its negative effects with care, whether that be care giving, care receiving or self care.

Unfortunately, although we may be used to feeling strong caring amongst our loved ones, positive connection within the general public has become rare. In public we often find ourselves keeping our guard up and believing that we can’t afford to care. Childre and Martin believe that we can’t afford not to. Since overcare is so prevalent, it is care that we need to cultivate in all aspects of our lives.